Volume 28 · Number 4 · Summer 2011
Letters
Career-launching Coho concerts
[Re letter, "Music at the CoHo," spring 2011] I was the person who booked all of the entertainment into the patio room of the Coffee House in the 1970s. Here is the 1978–79 list of talent in order of appearance: Oregon, Devo, Flora Purim, Dave Edmunds/Nick Lowe, Talking Heads, Rory Gallagher, Carlene Carter, Leroy Jenkins, Elvis Costello, Camel, Pat Metheny, John Fahey, The Police, Emmylou Harris, Ultravox, Dire Straits, Don Cherry, Tom Robinson Band, Tim Weisberg, John Cale, Gil Scott Heron, Joe Jackson and Jorma Kaukonen solo. Fun times. I wish I had some pictures of the shows. I continued my career working as a film music supervisor in the 1980's and have won Grammys for producing the soundtrack albums to The Apostle and Juno. I currently look after all of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards/Rolling Stones post-1970 music, and I also oversee all of the intellectual property for the James Brown estate. I owe a deep debt of gratitude to everyone I worked with during that time.
Peter Afterman '78
Agoura Hills
The shows at the Coffee House were great, though I did not go to Elvis Costello or the Talking Heads. The Police ran out of songs. They played "Born in the Fifties" twice. Sting came out in his robe when everyone was screaming for more and said, in his English accent, "We'd love to stay, but we don't know any more songs." I still chuckle about that. The Readymades came on next, and they said, "We know lots of songs." Seriously.
(On page 29 of the spring 2011 issue is a picture of "Scalar," the human powered vehicle we built for my senior project, in the Picnic Day parade. The dude on the roller skates is me.)
Gus Meyner '82
San José
Grateful to Meyer
Meyer
It was with sadness and fond memories that I read [spring 2011] of the passing of Professor Emerita Margaret Meyer, Ph.D. '61. Seeing her name, I was immediately teleported back to a memorable day in early 1975, when I was hurriedly summoned from the Allis-Chalmers tractor I was driving on Currey Ranch in Dixon. I was informed that a Dr. Meyer at the School of Veterinary Medicine wished to see me immediately for an admissions interview. Unfortunately, I was dressed for heavy tractor work and covered with dust, grease and grime after disking a field for four or five hours. I ran to the house to call Dr. Meyer. I explained that I could only take off for a short time and that I wouldn't have time to change, but could I please come in anyway? (This was my third and final application to vet school and I was both desperate and pretty much resigned to another rejection). Dr. Meyer said it didn't matter how I looked and, yes, I should come right in.
The interview seemed to go OK. Toward the end, she asked me what I would do if I was once again rejected. I responded something like: "I'll probably stay on the farm and keep looking like this." Then I thanked her for her time and returned to my waiting tractor.
Not long after, I walked down to my mailbox, where I found a fat envelope from the School of Veterinary Medicine dean's office. I had been accepted!
Thank you for your faith in me, Dr. Meyer. I hope I have performed up to your expectations. You changed my life completely!
Michael Sergent '75, D.V.M. '79
Escondido
Remembering Forbes
Forbes
I was heartbroken when I heard of Jack Forbes' passing. . . . I began my studies at UC Davis in 1978. From the start, Jack Forbes made me feel important. He had that way about him. He made me feel confident.
I remember Indian student union potlucks in the C.N. Gorman Museum. There was a feeling of family; Native American studies faculty members like sassy Sarah Hutchison and the beloved David Riesling made everyone feel at home. And sometimes there were poetry readings. Jack Forbes was the best poet. I'll always cherish hearing [him read in] his booming voice, his take-no-prisoners tone.
Jack Forbes was an incredible human being. Whenever I got wind of his readings, even after graduating, I tried my darnedest to be there. Invariably, he would always ask if I was writing any poetry.
I will always cherish Jack Forbes' memory. He made an indelible mark on my mind and my psyche. This gentleman, this educator, this fine fellow will continue to influence my thinking forever. Thank you, Jack Forbes.
Richard Matt '81
Elk Grove
Write on!
In the spring 2011 issue, I noticed the letter from Howard Egerman '68 contained several instances of ellipses (…). Either Howard has taken up "three-dot journalism" or his letter was "edited for length" by the editor. I suspect the latter because in Howard's day with The California Aggie campus newspaper, there was never an issue with less than three articles by him.
Congratulations, Howard, on 42 years of government service.
Craig Erb '68
Santa Clara
A stand-up parent
Just finished "Just Visiting" in the spring 2011 issue — what a hoot! I hope Robin DeRieux considers a career in comedy if she ever needs a break from academia. But I'd like to know: Is she writing from a parent's or a student's perspective (or both)?
Dana Ferri '99
Foster City
Editor's note: Robin DeRieux, who writes for our "Parents" section, is mother to a college senior and a freshman.
Sharing 'Happiness'
I'm an Aggie and really enjoy UC Davis Magazine. I often find articles that I pass on to my colleagues (I'm a high school teacher). I particularly enjoyed the article, "The Pursuit of Happiness" in the spring 2011 magazine. I thought it would make an excellent discussion starter for my high school class. May I have permission to print a set of 35 copies of the article for this purpose? It's well-written and thought-provoking — just what I need as a hook to engage my students!
Thank you for many years of engaging reading material!
Julie Greene '85
Sacramento
Editor's note: We're happy that you liked the happiness article and want to share. Most of our articles may be reprinted for educational and news media purposes with credit to UC Davis Magazine.
Domes lifestyle
I read with dismay about UC Davis' plans to bulldoze the unique Baggins End Domes. The charming and unique Domes project is and has always been more than just an alternative dorm. It is one of the few places on a major American university campus where students can live in a small close-knit community centered on the concept of a more sustainable lifestyle. . . . That is needed now more than ever.
Please continue investing in the future and preserve what's best and most special about UC Davis' agrarian roots by saving the Domes.
Michael Doughton
Sacramento